Re: keeping Apples from rotting

[shack@onyx.southwind.net (Randy Shackelford)]

David R. Villegas (mnementh@netcom.com) wrote:
: Does anyone know of any transparent substances that can keep the beige and
: platinum plastic cases from fading?  At the moment, I just keep any
: collector's items away from sunlight.  The Apples I do use aren't in
: direct sunlight but have been developing a "tan" over the years.  Someone
: asked me if the color fading was reversible.  Any ideas?

I've had some luck using Lava soap and water and hand scrubbing to cut a lot
of the discoloration. I've used this method on some Apple III cases as well
as on a Mac 128. You'll remove the texture of the plastic before you get all
the discoloration though so you don't want to go overboard. I've only tried
this trick on beige parts, but I assume that it works on grey stuff too. I
haven't needed to find out yet. When I got my Quadra two years ago and set
it up next to my then six year old signature edition IIgs, I looked pretty
closely and couldn't distinguish any difference in color between them. Still
can't. I've taken very good care of my machines over the years.
Another thing worth mentioning is that the cases with the sprayed on finish,
][s, ][ pluses, and early //es, don't seem to be susceptible to UV 
discoloration like the solid plastic stuff. I have a ][ plus I got for $10
which looks like it was just taken out of the box for the first time.
--
Randy Shackelford                                 I was internet
shack@southwind.net                               when internet wasn't cool